Chelsea finding it ‘impossible’ to train in sweltering heat before crucial FIFA Club World Cup clash
The heat can be unbearable and Chelsea is learning the hard way in Philadelphia for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca told reporters that the club is having issues training in the heat at the moment.
“It’s almost impossible to train, or to make a session because of the weather now,” Maresca said.
Chelsea is preparing for their final group stage match against Esperance de Tunis, which takes place at 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Lincoln Financial Field.
However, training on Monday proved difficult for the team, as they had to contend with the onset of the heatwave.
Temperatures in Philly hit a high of 98 degress and felt like 104, according to The Weather Channel.
In Subaru Park in Philadelphia, Chelsea attempted to utilize large industrial fans on the sidelines and employ cooling sprays to combat the heat. Even then, the session did not last too long.
“We are trying just to save energy for the game. This morning’s session was very very very short.” Maresca said.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, if there were one game they needed extra practice for, it would be this one.
After a shocking 3-1 loss to Flamengo, their chances to advance out of Group D are less than many would have thought entering the tournament.
Their game against Esperance de Tunis will see the winner advance to the quarterfinals. If it is a draw, Chelsea would advance.
Chelsea is not the only team that has aired their concerns over the conditions.
Even in the first week of the tournament, both Paris Saint-Germain and Athletic Madrid acknowledged that the heat played a factor in their match’s outcome on Sunday.
“The match was clearly influenced by the temperature,” said PSG manager Luis Enrique.
In Dortmund’s game against Mamelodi Sundowns, the substitutes for Dortmund watched the first half from their locker room to stay cool — something unheard of in normal conditions.
This tournament is a precursor to the 2026 World Cup, which the US will host at around the same time.
Many are asking FIFA what they have been doing to mitigate these issues.
Other than breaks during the 30th and 70th minutes of each match, FIFA told The Athletic that their medical experts “have been in regular contact with the clubs to address heat management and acclimatization”.